Freechaku
January 16, 2011 7:05 PM Subscribe
You've met AZO, the videogame animator that can actually do the stunts he animates. Now meet MrOldMana, one of AZO's (former) game developer colleagues, who has his own particular eye-popping talent that makes Bruce Lee look like a punk.
Dude, he's good, but you do him no favors by overselling it. Compared to Bruce, it's like he's moving in slow motion.
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posted by kmz at 7:16 PM on January 16, 2011 [5 favorites]
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posted by kmz at 7:16 PM on January 16, 2011 [5 favorites]
What he's doing is amazing, and if I tried it I'd beat my brains out by accident. But it does seem as if he's moving a bit slowly compared to Bruce Lee. That doesn't take anything away from him; it just means it isn't really fair to compare him to the master.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:23 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:23 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Respectable to be accomplished in a martial art, but nothing in that video shows this fellow outperforming, for example, my Sensai playing around with Nunchaku. Why play this up so much?
posted by nzero at 7:25 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by nzero at 7:25 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
See if everyone hadn't made fun of Star Wars Kid he might've ended up awesome like this guy.
posted by Ritchie at 7:28 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Ritchie at 7:28 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah no. This guy is a lot slower and has constructed most of his movements such that the nunchaku cannot strike him very hard at any point. There are a few moments when his head's in a little danger but that's about it. This is basically low-impact baton twirling with a few extra degrees of freedom. And let me not start in about the music.
posted by PsychoTherapist at 7:31 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by PsychoTherapist at 7:31 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
Er, not to disparage the actual talent on display, just that it's very inappropriate to compare it to what Bruce Lee is doing.
posted by PsychoTherapist at 7:32 PM on January 16, 2011
posted by PsychoTherapist at 7:32 PM on January 16, 2011
Cool moves.
Anyone who spends any time learning that weapon (or other chained weapons -- the sansetsukon, for example) develops an elemental appreciation of the physics of pendulums -- when changing direction, dealing with recoil, etc.
I always found it rather exciting to be around inexperienced students training with such weapons. They would inevitably slip from the student's grasp and go flying in some unpredictable direction. (Never saw someone get concussed that way, but it was a near thing on more than one occasion.)
posted by Kikkoman at 7:34 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyone who spends any time learning that weapon (or other chained weapons -- the sansetsukon, for example) develops an elemental appreciation of the physics of pendulums -- when changing direction, dealing with recoil, etc.
I always found it rather exciting to be around inexperienced students training with such weapons. They would inevitably slip from the student's grasp and go flying in some unpredictable direction. (Never saw someone get concussed that way, but it was a near thing on more than one occasion.)
posted by Kikkoman at 7:34 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm not entirely convinced he can actually kick my ass with the things. But I am excited to know that there's a nunchaku world cup. I hope there's vuvuzelas during the competition.
posted by billyfleetwood at 7:44 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by billyfleetwood at 7:44 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
develops an elemental appreciation of the physics of pendulums -- when changing direction, dealing with recoil,
Heh. Most people give up on learning the 'chuks the first time they hit something with them.
posted by P.o.B. at 7:46 PM on January 16, 2011
Heh. Most people give up on learning the 'chuks the first time they hit something with them.
posted by P.o.B. at 7:46 PM on January 16, 2011
That video of Bruce was cool.
posted by Babblesort at 7:50 PM on January 16, 2011
posted by Babblesort at 7:50 PM on January 16, 2011
It was pretty neat to see the two chuck stuff- it had some of the same flow and angles of escrima, which makes a lot of sense given that you're trying to use two weapons and not hit yourself in the process.
posted by yeloson at 7:54 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by yeloson at 7:54 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
nunchuks = baton twirling for nerds
posted by outlandishmarxist at 7:55 PM on January 16, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by outlandishmarxist at 7:55 PM on January 16, 2011 [3 favorites]
You can tell he's still thinking about it.
Bruce didn't think.
posted by AndrewKemendo at 8:00 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
Bruce didn't think.
posted by AndrewKemendo at 8:00 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
I sorta liked the twirling routine, especially if you stick through it until the glowstick nunchuck sequence (though unfortunately the soundtrack doesn't immediately switch to like the Chemical Brothers when that happens) and the little bits of nunchuck bouting. But as for Bruce Lee, I sort of pictured him saying this bit from earlier in Enter The Dragon to MrOldMana 'cause it pretty much sums up the difference between those sequences.
posted by furiousthought at 8:07 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by furiousthought at 8:07 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
Let this be a lesson to you when you link to a computer programmer who plays classical guitar and you decide to say he makes Segovia look like a little baby.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:10 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:10 PM on January 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
Here's hoping that this thread just becomes a place for excellent Bruce Lee stories, rather than mediocre nunchaku videos.
posted by X-Himy at 8:19 PM on January 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by X-Himy at 8:19 PM on January 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
Don't think. Feel.
posted by grabbingsand at 8:20 PM on January 16, 2011
posted by grabbingsand at 8:20 PM on January 16, 2011
They would inevitably slip from the student's grasp and go flying in some unpredictable direction. (Never saw someone get concussed that way, but it was a near thing on more than one occasion.)
I pretty much stopped doing nunchaku katas correctly after I whacked the back of my head with one. I gave my head so much berth after that my form was horrible.
I finally dropped out of kung fu classes when the next belt had a kwan dao kata that involved at one point using the back of your neck as a pivot. Yeah... no. Not for me.
posted by kmz at 8:28 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
I pretty much stopped doing nunchaku katas correctly after I whacked the back of my head with one. I gave my head so much berth after that my form was horrible.
I finally dropped out of kung fu classes when the next belt had a kwan dao kata that involved at one point using the back of your neck as a pivot. Yeah... no. Not for me.
posted by kmz at 8:28 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Pffft. I think your premise is flawed, friend.
posted by BeerFilter at 8:30 PM on January 16, 2011
posted by BeerFilter at 8:30 PM on January 16, 2011
Don't think. Feel.
Or, to take the "woo" out of it...: Practice it until it becomes muscle memory and you no longer have to think about it.
posted by LordSludge at 8:33 PM on January 16, 2011
Or, to take the "woo" out of it...: Practice it until it becomes muscle memory and you no longer have to think about it.
posted by LordSludge at 8:33 PM on January 16, 2011
X-Himy: "Here's hoping that this thread just becomes a place for excellent Bruce Lee stories, rather than mediocre nunchaku videos"
Bruce Lee just fucking loved birthdays.
posted by bwg at 8:40 PM on January 16, 2011 [8 favorites]
Bruce Lee just fucking loved birthdays.
posted by bwg at 8:40 PM on January 16, 2011 [8 favorites]
Certainly, practice, repetition, and muscle memory are key, but when one is relaxed and not mentally calculating their movements it's possible to be much more aware of their body and surroundings.
After many years, there have been select moments when I have reached this level in my practice of onanism.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 9:04 PM on January 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
After many years, there have been select moments when I have reached this level in my practice of onanism.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 9:04 PM on January 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
he's very elegant and skilled. But don't ever say anyone make Bruce Lee look like a punk. He broke the ground for this boy to get where he is now. And even at slow safe speeds, this is an excellent excercise for the arms. This is how I works the pain out of my forearms when practicing bass
posted by Redhush at 9:48 PM on January 16, 2011
posted by Redhush at 9:48 PM on January 16, 2011
Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese: After many years, there have been select moments when I have reached this level in my practice of onanism.
Eponysterical?
posted by Skygazer at 11:41 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Eponysterical?
posted by Skygazer at 11:41 PM on January 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
It would be more impressive if the guy was able to take his eyes of his nunchaku's and look around for an opponent.
posted by charles kaapjes at 12:28 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by charles kaapjes at 12:28 AM on January 17, 2011
It's like a finger pointing at the moon.
posted by zippy at 1:13 AM on January 17, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by zippy at 1:13 AM on January 17, 2011 [4 favorites]
I pretty much stopped doing nunchaku katas correctly after I whacked the back of my head with one.
A mate of mine used to have one and we , being young and stupid, used to mainly try to show off with them after returning from heavy sessions in the pub. Like you, I stopped doing this after striking myself with shocking force. I wish it had been my head I'd hit, though.
I think it was my "friend's" hysterical laughter as I rolled around doubled up on the floor that really hurt the most. No wait, it wasn't that.
posted by Decani at 2:26 AM on January 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
A mate of mine used to have one and we , being young and stupid, used to mainly try to show off with them after returning from heavy sessions in the pub. Like you, I stopped doing this after striking myself with shocking force. I wish it had been my head I'd hit, though.
I think it was my "friend's" hysterical laughter as I rolled around doubled up on the floor that really hurt the most. No wait, it wasn't that.
posted by Decani at 2:26 AM on January 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
DanceswithNunchaku! Do you see that I am your friend? Can you see that you will always be my friend?
posted by bwg at 4:20 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by bwg at 4:20 AM on January 17, 2011
I always feel a bit strange seeing jugglers use martial art weapons.
posted by splice at 6:48 AM on January 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by splice at 6:48 AM on January 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Fun fact: nunchaku were originally used as flails, because that's what they were. The fancy twirling stuff only really started happening once nunchaku were no longer useful weapons due to guns and the like showing up and 'chukkers wanted to make sure everybody thought nunchuks were still awesome.
posted by mightygodking at 7:33 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by mightygodking at 7:33 AM on January 17, 2011
Unimpressed with the fat majorette.
Lee and Inosanto do it better.
posted by the cuban at 9:48 AM on January 17, 2011
Lee and Inosanto do it better.
posted by the cuban at 9:48 AM on January 17, 2011
I always feel a bit strange seeing jugglers use martial art weapons.
Exactly. He's very good, but he's a juggler with nunchaku. Bruce was a fighter who had to learn to modify what he did for the screen. The guy had to slow down for the cameras, and if you watch he doesn't always go slow enough. They're just doing different things.
And for future reference, Bruce Lee is the Platonic form of kicking your ass so unless you find a video of some kung fu master/wizard it's not going to be a good idea to bring up the comparison to Bruce.
posted by cmoj at 10:39 AM on January 17, 2011
Exactly. He's very good, but he's a juggler with nunchaku. Bruce was a fighter who had to learn to modify what he did for the screen. The guy had to slow down for the cameras, and if you watch he doesn't always go slow enough. They're just doing different things.
And for future reference, Bruce Lee is the Platonic form of kicking your ass so unless you find a video of some kung fu master/wizard it's not going to be a good idea to bring up the comparison to Bruce.
posted by cmoj at 10:39 AM on January 17, 2011
Yeah, I'm still mad about this post.
posted by BeerFilter at 1:19 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by BeerFilter at 1:19 PM on January 17, 2011
So like... is there actually any advantage to knowing how to spin nunchaku around like this? Because any time I see someone actually fight with them, the only strike they use is from some kind of resting position (one stick under your arm, behind your back, at your side, etc). It doesn't seem like ANYONE ever attacks as part of a swinging series of moves.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 1:20 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 1:20 PM on January 17, 2011
So like... is there actually any advantage to knowing how to spin nunchaku around like this?
Like the guy in the FPP twirls them? I guess you could make the case that you could scare someone off with it, but other than that no.
The way that Bruce does in the links numbered 1 and 2 in the second comment? Well... most of it is for show, but, for example, when he and Inosanto are circling each other (#2) Bruce is moving the chucks from position to position without doing any twirling. That could be movement to keep your opponent on his toes as to where you might be coming from or to adjust to defend from various directions. Also when Inosanto is moving the chucks from shoulder to shoulder without letting go of either end he's doing the same thing, but more defensively. Notice how throughout the movement he doesn't pass through a position from which he can't strike.
In general you're right, though. A strike that's meant to be effective with nunchaku is rarely a circular swinging kind of thing. The chucks effectively extend your reach by 18" of swiftly flung hardwood, so a mostly linear strike from a relaxed position makes for an extremely fast but devastating blow. Bruce does it a lot in both of those videos as well as just using one end like a regular stick. Think of them as brass knuckles on a chain.
posted by cmoj at 1:53 PM on January 17, 2011
Like the guy in the FPP twirls them? I guess you could make the case that you could scare someone off with it, but other than that no.
The way that Bruce does in the links numbered 1 and 2 in the second comment? Well... most of it is for show, but, for example, when he and Inosanto are circling each other (#2) Bruce is moving the chucks from position to position without doing any twirling. That could be movement to keep your opponent on his toes as to where you might be coming from or to adjust to defend from various directions. Also when Inosanto is moving the chucks from shoulder to shoulder without letting go of either end he's doing the same thing, but more defensively. Notice how throughout the movement he doesn't pass through a position from which he can't strike.
In general you're right, though. A strike that's meant to be effective with nunchaku is rarely a circular swinging kind of thing. The chucks effectively extend your reach by 18" of swiftly flung hardwood, so a mostly linear strike from a relaxed position makes for an extremely fast but devastating blow. Bruce does it a lot in both of those videos as well as just using one end like a regular stick. Think of them as brass knuckles on a chain.
posted by cmoj at 1:53 PM on January 17, 2011
So like... is there actually any advantage to knowing how to spin nunchaku around like this?
No, just as there's no reason to know how to fling around a Butterfly knife. It's just fun learning how to do it until you hurt yourself in the process.
posted by P.o.B. at 7:07 PM on January 17, 2011
No, just as there's no reason to know how to fling around a Butterfly knife. It's just fun learning how to do it until you hurt yourself in the process.
posted by P.o.B. at 7:07 PM on January 17, 2011
Come to think of it, isn't Inosanto's specialty grappling?
posted by cmoj at 8:38 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by cmoj at 8:38 PM on January 17, 2011
Inosanto is SERIOUSLY right handed in that clip!
Nunchuks are probably not a weapon he's used to.
A lot of weapon arts tend to focus more training on the good hand rather than balanced hands, since, the core need is quick and effective proficiency.
"One hand at 100% is better than two hands at 70%" is the phrase I've heard - even though escrima and kali train dual weapons, they also have you focus your basics with one hand for a lot as well.
posted by yeloson at 1:36 PM on January 18, 2011
Nunchuks are probably not a weapon he's used to.
A lot of weapon arts tend to focus more training on the good hand rather than balanced hands, since, the core need is quick and effective proficiency.
"One hand at 100% is better than two hands at 70%" is the phrase I've heard - even though escrima and kali train dual weapons, they also have you focus your basics with one hand for a lot as well.
posted by yeloson at 1:36 PM on January 18, 2011
Inosanto is an Eskrimadore if anything. He's obviously trained, and taught, a crapload of other stuff such as Kenpo and JKD.
posted by P.o.B. at 2:20 PM on January 18, 2011
posted by P.o.B. at 2:20 PM on January 18, 2011
Nunchuks are probably not a weapon he's used to.
It was Guro Dan who taught Sigung Lee the nunchuks.
posted by the cuban at 3:47 PM on January 18, 2011
It was Guro Dan who taught Sigung Lee the nunchuks.
posted by the cuban at 3:47 PM on January 18, 2011
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